WHAT TO DO
Singapore is a cultural melting pot and offers an array of activities across food , architecture , culture and nature . Here are some of our best picks for getting the most bang for the least buck .
Gardens by the Bay
Singapore has plenty of green space but one Gardens by the Bay takes the cake . In the shadow of Marina Bay Sands , this 101 hectares parkland is home to bio-spheres Flower Dome and Cloud Forest which charge an admission fee . But you don ’ t need to spend big to make a big impression with the awe-inspiring Supertrees free to admire . Try taking a tai chi ( Chinese martial arts ) lesson under the Supertrees or stay for the Garden Rhapsody Light Show at sundown which is as ‘ wow ’ as it gets and it ’ s free of charge to all . If your budget stretches to a round of beers , head up to the SuperTree by IndoChine bar for happy hour and a million dollar view .
Singapore Botanic Gardens
More green space but with a quieter atmosphere , the Botanic Gardens , a UNESCO World Heritage Site , is truly an oasis from the hustle of the city . This 156-year-old tropical garden is right in the thick of it but you wouldn ’ t know when you ’ re past the gates . Established by Singapore ’ s founder himself , Sir Stamford Raffles , the Gardens have an unmistakably English feel to them , but are nonetheless home to a heritage-listed array of tropical plant life . Come on Saturday and enjoy a free guided tour from a local or download a free walking tour app and wander at your own pace .
Eat at a Michelin star venue
Eating at a Michelin-starred venue is not the sort of the thing you would normally do if you ’ re on a budget but Singapore is not a normal destination . Hawker street vendors Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice and
Noodle and Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle were both awarded a Michelin star in 2016 . So tuck into one of their signature dishes for less than the cost of a bottled water at one of the other swankier Michelin-starred restaurants in the city . Be warned though , there will be a queue !
Go local
To understand Singapore you need to understand the Peranakan culture . Peranakan or ‘ local born ’ is the defining narrative in this cultural melting pot and nowhere is this better experienced than in the neighbourhood of Katong and Joo Chiat . Simply wander around and admire the colourful houses and shopfronts that define Peranakan culture , or stop off for a bite at one of the many local eateries from cool cafes to old-world coffeeshops selling the iconic Katong laksa , kueh chang ( rice dumplings ) and other Nonya delicacies .
Doctors and nurses
With plenty of Associations heading to Singapore from the medical and research sector it makes perfect sense to see how the Singaporeans do healthcare with this behind-the scenes tour of one of their top hospitals . The 590-bed general and acute care Khoo Teck Puat Hospital ( KTPH ) opens its doors to groups up to 28 interested in learning about KTPH ’ s philosophies of care ,
At last count Singapore has 6,750 eating establishments including Pakistani curry restaurants , a Russian caviar bar , Indian and Peranakan eateries and Argentinian steakhouses to name but a few .
The Michelin Guide Singapore features 29 top dining venues including French restaurant Joël Robuchon and L ’ Atelier de Joël Robuchon , as well as homegrown establishments Restaurant André , Les Amis , Odette , Corner House and Candlenut .
management principles and environment friendly initiatives . Built in 2010 , the hospital building has also garnered numerous awards for its green and energy efficient design .
Go green
Environmental sustainability is a growing trend , with many Associations looking to tap into Singapore ’ s expertise on all things green . One place to find inspiration is Singapore ’ s groundbreaking Zero Energy Building ( ZEB ), which served as a test bed for integration of green building technologies in existing buildings . Located within the BCA Academy , ZEB is retrofitted from an existing building using a combination of green building technology , clever building design that takes advantages of natural ventilation and lighting , and solar energy to produce enough energy to run itself . Find out more about this fascinating project on a guided tour of ZEB .
MAAD for shopping
Singapore is the region ’ s shopping mecca , but you don ’ t have to go to Orchard Road to satisfy your urge to splurge . Instead you could head to Singapore ’ s largest recurring creative marketplace – MAAD Flea . The monthly market held on Fridays showcases the city ’ s booming creative talents . It ’ s free entry and there are live music and performances to boot .
20 Convention & Incentive Marketing , Issue 2 , 2017 www . cimmagazine . com